The Beauty and the Beast (Seventeen Meanie story)

Chapter 21 - Is It Worth Fighting For?

A/N: As promised I'm back with the weekly two updates, so let's continue!!

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Mingyu has been standing on the balcony ever since Wonwoo had left, staring outside. The weather was becoming even cooler, but he didn't care. It can't be colder than how cold he felt inside since Wonwoo was gone anyways.

He had no strength to move anymore. Does it even matter? Probably only a few minutes are left of this life. The clock will strike midnight soon, the last petal of the enchanted rose will fall, and he is going to stay as a beast forever. Will he have feelings after this, or is he going to become a cold-hearted, lifeless monster? Well, he will learn it soon.

His eyes widened when suddenly he spotted a small patch of light from inside the forest, and it was nearing the castle. His heart began beating faster with hope. Is Wonwoo back? Then maybe it's not too late for him to confess his feelings... he still has a very little time, but maybe it's enough to tell Wonwoo that he loves him.

However the next second all his hopes got crashed when he realized it wasn't Wonwoo coming back. It was an army of villagers with pitchforks, torches and different farming equipment worn as weapons. Mingyu hummed. They look like some weird sect, ready to hunt something down. Then realization hit him. They are coming for the beast. That something is him.

'Master!!' came Seungkwan's voice from the doorway. Mingyu didn't turn around to face him. 'Master, an army of people is coming!! They want to attack the castle... they are coming for you' said the mantel clock.

'Then let them come' said Mingyu quietly and sighed. Why would it matter if they attack them or not? Does it matter if they survive anyways? He failed with the only quest he was given. He fell in love, but couldn't confess his feelings for the only person he had ever loved. At midnight the spell will become permanent. He is going to stay a beast forever while his friends will all turn into lifeless objects. He didn't only fail to save himself, but he also failed to protect his staff, his friends. The only ones he could always count on, the ones who were always by his side, seen him at his worst, but decided to stay with him. There's nothing he can do anymore.

'But... but you can't let that happen! You are a fighter, Mingyu hyung!' whimpered Seungkwan, dropping the title. Mingyu's heart broke hearing the younger's wailing and calling him hyung. He slowly turned around and looked at Seungkwan, two broken souls staring at each other, waiting for the other to say something.

'I'm sorry, Seungkwan-ah' broke the silence Mingyu's quiet voice. 'I'm not a fighter' he muttered and turned back towards the balcony. In the background they could hear the yelling of the crowd outside.

Seungkwan's lips trembled but he held himself together, standing there for a few more seconds before rushing downstairs.

Maybe Mingyu had given up.

But they are his friends, and they care about him whether he likes it or not.

And they are going to fight until the very end.

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'Let's kill that monster before he kills us!!' yelled Gyeongsu outside, leading the army of people towards the main gate of the castle, still carrying the mirror with him that showed the beast. He was somewhere upstairs on a balcony. The crowd cheered, the ones in the front carrying big tree trunks as battering rams, ready to break the door down.

'They are coming!' whispered Soonyoung, the candelabra inside. Minghao, the wardrobe stood in front of the gate since he was the biggest among them, to block it from opening.

'What are we going to do now?!' asked Jihoon, the feather duster in panic.

'We are going to fight!' said Seungkwan stubbornly, hearing the crowd getting closer.

'But how?' asked the coat hanger, Jun. Soonyoung held up one of his candles to get the others' attention as all the objects were talking between each other. This made them go quiet.

'Okay, quick, think guys! What do they expect when they enter?' asked Soonyoung like a teacher.

'Probably Mingyu hyung' spoke up Chan, the teacup.

'Great thinking, kid' said Soonyoung. Chan was about to argue with him being called a kid again, but only a glare of Jeonghan, the teapot, was enough for him to shut up. Soonyoung continued. 'So they expect a beast... And what will they get instead?'

'Umm... us?' asked Jihoon.

'That's right!!' said Soonyoung. 'We are going to welcome them the way they least expect it! And they also get what they deserve! Because as Mingyu says all the time, no one, no one can step on his territory and expect to just get away with it!' he said, making the staff all nod and cheer in agreement.

'Guys, I don't mean to butt in or anything but they are going to break the door!' said Minghao. The crowd of people were banging on the gate and it really looked like it's gonna break down any second now.

'Then let them!' said Soonyoung. It made the others all turn to him expectantly. The candelabra grinned. 'Gentlemen, let's get ready to fight! Everyone, go to your respective places! Teacups on the shelves, coat hangers by the door, rugs on the floor, plates in the cabinets, knives in the drawers, clocks on the walls and tables... We are going to show them who they are messing with!'

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'So you're saying that all these objects are alive in the castle?!' asked Seokmin out of breath as he and Wonwoo were galloping through the forest on the backs of their horses.

'Basically that's the case. They are the castle's staff' said Wonwoo, navigating his horse between the trees. Seokmin hummed.

'Hyung?'

'Yeah?'

'And you... really like this beast- I mean, this Mingyu guy... don't you?' asked the younger. Wonwoo sighed.

'I know it sounds insane, but... he is a good guy, Seokmin. Believe me. He looks frightening, but he has feelings too, and in reality he is very sweet. And yeah... I really like him' he smiled sadly. 'I wish I told him though.'

'You still have a chance!' said Seokmin consolingly.

'Not if Gyeongsu reaches him first! We need to hurry up!' said Wonwoo, nudging Philippe to quicken his pace.

The rest of their journey was spent in silence, only hearing the loud steps of the horses as they galloped through the forest. Wonwoo could only pray they are not too late.